He started at rookie Billings, then played at single-A Waterloo that year he pitched in the exhibition game. He made AAA Omaha in 1973. He also made major league Kansas City that year.

In
eight games, seven starts, that first year in the majors, Littell went
1-3, with a 5.68 ERA. He returned to Kansas City briefly in 1975 and
then for a much longer stint in 1976.

In
that 1976 season, Littell pitched in 60 games, mostly in relief. His
ERA came in at 2.08 as he helped the Royals to the playoffs. He took the
loss in the deciding Game 5 of the ALCS. He was named the team's pitcher-of-the-year.

Littell stayed with the Royals through 1977, when he was traded to the Cardinals.
He then played the next five seasons with his new club, including a
1979 campaign where the reliever went 9-4, with a 2.13 ERA.

Littell's final major league season came in 1982. A lingering elbow injury finally ended his career. In 316 career major league games, he had a 3.32 ERA.

By 1989, Littell had started his coaching career. He served that year as pitching coach at short-season Watertown. He moved to single-A Charleston in 1990.

"That's one of the things you like about guys coming out of the bullpen - come in and throw strikes," Littell told The Record. "They utilized the inside half of the plate. You can't ask for more than that."

Littell
served in various roles in the minors through 2006. In 1996, he served
as pitching coach at AAA New Orleans. From 2003 to 2006, it was rookie Helena. He didn't make the majors as a coach.